The book “Islam is of the Devil” was written by fundamentalist Christian zealot Terry Jones

Terry Jones, zealot pastor of a Florida church called the Dove World Outreach Center of Gainesville and author of “Islam is of the Devil” says he takes very seriously Gen. David Petraeus’ warning that his church’s burn a Koran day on 9/11 could endanger U.S. troops but he still plans to go through with the protest and burn Korans.

Jones’ request to start a bonfire of burning Korans on September 11, 2010 at his Gainesville Florida church was denied a permit by the Gainesville Fire Department. Despite the denial of a permit, Jones remains committed and determined to burning Korans.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects Jones’ right to say and do what he wants. In as much as the New York mosque owners have a right to build on land they legally own despite questions around the wisdom of doing so, Jones also has the right to burn Korans even in the face of Gen. David Petraeus’s dire warnings. To emphasize his intention to burn Korans, Jones wrote a screed “Ten Reasons to Burn a Koran” on his blog.

This Koran burning situation is the crux and cross of America. It is what makes us who we are. Free speech applies to Terry Jones, Wikileaks’ Julian Assange and as far as I am personally concerned to every person on the planet.

Free speech however does not grant anyone judgment, reason, morality nor wisdom. In fact, wisdom is not inherent in free speech. More often than not, wisdom and reason are casualties and collateral damages of free speech. Free speech is more often abused by the left, center and right, the religious and agnostics and by those in power and the powerless. In the case of zealot Terry Jones, his actions will drive similarly depraved Islamist zealots to kill people also in the name of religion.

But Jones’ crass theatrics is not about religion. I allege it’s about money and greed.

A church of 50 followers can hardly support a pastor. Jones’ Facebook page has allowed him to add 120 more people to his den of hate. A tithe of $10 or even $20/person/week makes for a paltry sum.

There have been many fundamentalist evangelicals who have turned religion into a money making enterprise so I suspect Jones wants to make a little money too. Jim Bakker did it, went to jail and is doing it again. “Me too!” is a thought bubble floating around Jones morally challenged empty skull.

Jones’ crass pandering to make money spares no opportunity even selling coffee mugs of hate

To increase donations, zealots come up with all sorts of gimmickry to raise money like faith healing shows and in the case of Terry Jones – generate anger among fellow zealots, sell “memberships”, ask for their support and modest contributions and on the way also sell feeble minded people a book, tshirt and even a coffee mug. I have no doubt that donations to Terry Jones’ racist and hate filled church has skyrocketed and he will milk his concocted money making controversy for every cent he can make. It is the definition of blood money except it may be the blood of a young soldier. Judas would be proud of Terry Jones.

So yes Terry Jones, I support your First Amendment rights to free speech. As for your message of hate, take it with you and your like-minded Islamist friends to your own private hell. You will have like company with every incarnation of Lucifer, Iblis, Shaitan, Satan and Mephistopheles.